Food and lifestyle changes are often the first step in treating uterine fibroids. Herbal remedies, stress management, and increased exercise may also help ease symptoms.

Uterine fibroids are growths in your uterus. They can range in size from as small as a seed to larger than a grapefruit. People may also call them benign tumors, uterine leiomyomas, or myomas.

Most fibroids aren’t cancerous or life threatening, but they can sometimes cause health problems.

If you have fibroids, you might be wondering how you can relieve symptoms at home. Keep reading to learn about treatment options, both at home and at your doctor’s office.

The use of binary terms such as “male” and “female” or “men” and “women” in this article reflects the language of the sources we’ve used. Unless otherwise noted, it’s unclear whether the research we reference included participants with expansive gender identities.

In many cases, uterine fibroids shrink on their own, especially after menopause. You may not need treatment unless you have bothersome symptoms. Your doctor will recommend the best treatment plan. You may need a combination of therapies.

In moderate to severe cases where symptoms are disruptive, worsening, or not responding to medication, a doctor may suggest surgery or ultrasound therapy. Surgery may remove just the fibroids or your entire uterus.

At-home care, diet changes, and natural remedies may also help treat fibroids and relieve symptoms. A 2022 literature review suggests that, although medications are still the first-line treatment, natural remedies are showing therapeutic potential.

However, it’s important to note that effectiveness may vary depending on the remedy. More research is also necessary to standardize these remedies and establish a testing protocol to ensure optimal safety.

Below are some natural remedies that may help with symptoms of fibroids. Talk with your doctor before trying any of these options.

People with overweight or obesity may have a higher risk of developing uterine fibroids. A 2021 literature review suggests this risk increases with each kilogram of excess body weight.

This link may be because of obesity’s effects on your body’s hormone balance.

A small 2019 study involving 81 women without uterine fibroids suggests a weak link between visceral fat (around the abdomen) and overall body fat percentages and the risk of uterine fibroids.

More research is necessary to understand this link and whether changes in weight or fat percentage may reduce symptoms of fibroids. However, the study’s authors suggest weight management through diet and exercise may help reduce fibroid risk.

Your daily diet is a very important factor in treating fibroids. Eating a nutritious diet can help you maintain a moderate weight and reduce your risk. Certain foods may also help ease symptoms.

Foods to avoid

According to a 2024 literature review, people with uterine fibroids may benefit from avoiding or limiting the following:

The review’s authors suggest these dietary factors cause quick spikes in blood sugar, potentially contributing to hormone imbalances and inflammation.

Foods to eat

The 2024 literature review suggests that a healthy, balanced diet is vital to reduce the risk and impact of fibroids.

Add these whole foods to your daily diet:

Vitamins and supplements

Some types of vitamins may help reduce the growth and size of fibroids. Research confirms that your risk for fibroids may increase if you have low amounts of vitamin D and vitamin A.

You can get these vitamins through food and supplements. Before you start incorporating supplements into your daily routine, talk with your doctor.

A 2023 study of 6,623 non-menopausal women ages 30 to 55 years suggests a positive association between uterine fibroids and leisure sedentary time.

Exercising more can help you achieve or maintain a moderate body weight, which may also reduce the risk of fibroids.

At-home care may help to manage stress, which can worsen fibroids and your overall health. Try these treatment options that can help manage stress:

Herbal remedies may help treat fibroids or reduce related symptoms. However, more research is necessary to determine whether these remedies work and the most effective dosage.

Herbs can interact with medications and other supplements. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate these supplements. Talk with your doctor before taking herbal supplements.

In Chinese medicine, imbalances in qi (life force) and blood relate to uterine fibroids. Practitioners may use the following herbal formulas to relieve uterine fibroids:

  • radix paeoniae rubra
  • panax notoginseng
  • peach kernel
  • cassia twig
  • poria cocos

The 2024 literature review also suggests that milk thistle, green tea, and dandelion root may help to protect the liver from damage due to uterine fibroids.

In most cases, treatment for symptomatic fibroids involves:

  • hormonal medications
  • ultrasound therapy
  • surgery
  • uterine artery embolization, which blocks blood vessels to the uterus

Medications help to shrink fibroids or ease symptoms. Surgery may involve removing just the fibroids or your entire uterus.

Some treatments your doctor may recommend include:

  • hormone-balancing medications
  • progestin-releasing intrauterine device (IUD)
  • MRI-guided focused ultrasound surgery
  • uterine artery embolization, which works by blocking the blood supply to the fibroids and uterus
  • myolysis, which is removal with a heat source (such as radiofrequency waves); Acessa is an example of this procedure
  • cryomyolysis, which removes fibroids by freezing
  • myomectomy, which is surgery to remove just fibroids
  • hysterectomy, which surgically removes your uterus

Visit your doctor if you experience any symptoms related to fibroids, no matter how mild. Your doctor will examine you and decide if treatment is suitable.

Follow-up appointments may be necessary to monitor your fibroids. If you’re having difficulty becoming pregnant, your doctor can determine if it’s due to fibroids.

Treatment for fibroids depends on a number of factors. To get rid of fibroids quickly, your doctor may recommend surgery or medication. Some people may also benefit from home remedies and lifestyle changes.

If your fibroids are shrinking, you may have fewer symptoms. For example, a 2022 study of women over 50 years found that once fibroids start shrinking, symptoms like pressure, urinary incontinence, and bleeding are usually relieved.

Some people may have no symptoms at all. However, people with larger fibroids may feel pain when a fibroid shrinks or breaks down. Contact your doctor immediately if you have severe pain or changes in symptoms.

In some cases, smaller fibroids do not need treatment and will go away on their own. However, sometimes fibroids can get larger and increase in number if left untreated. This can cause symptoms to worsen. Your doctor can determine the best treatment plan for you.

Your doctor can determine whether alternative or natural fibroid treatment is right for you. Treatment depends on your age, health, and lifestyle. It may also vary by the number, size, and location of your fibroids.

Changes to your diet and lifestyle are often the first plan of action to treat uterine fibroids. These healthy changes are important even with surgery or medication.

Talk with your doctor before taking any type of herbal remedy or supplement. Keep a list of all your medications, supplements, and herbal remedies. Purchase herbal supplements from reputable sources to avoid contamination and unhealthy ingredients.